Does sound also help you to focus?

I often ask this question to those around me and the answer is often the same:  «It depends on what I’m doing.»

When you are working, it can sometimes be difficult to stay focused, within a noisy environment, because of music, a podcast or simply the sound of your office. (No problem at this level these times ;))

Personally, I have a completely different experience when it comes to listening to something when working. A podcast or a song can help me to focus on my work.  It helps me not to be distracted by everything that may happen around me during a working day.

Obviously, I agree it depends on what I’m doing. For instance, reading or writing while listening to something is impossible for me. But as a designer, I love to associate visual work with sound, I think it adds a very interesting layer to what I am doing.

Something which always amazes me is that when I go back to my work a few days or weeks after having worked on something, I remember exactly what I was listening to in when doing it.

Sometimes, it even happens that I listen to a podcast or music that I like, and I visualise the work I did while listening to that sound.

This method has always helped me to learn and memorise, associating a sound  with a visual is a very effective way of learning, in my opinion.

This topic interests me and I will have a deeper look into the question!
And you, what is your relation with working in music? :)

- Emma